Aeroplane



May 10, 1932- w. M. ALEXANDER AEROPLANE Filed Nov. 5, 1931 2Sheets-'Sneet 1 AEROPLANE Filed Nov. 5, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 /rdlPatented May 10, 1932 UNITED States WILLIAM M. ALEXANDEE, OF MONROE,NORTH CAROLINA AEROPIJAN E Application filed November 5, 1931. SerialN'o. 573,199.

The invention relates to aeroplanes, and has for its principal objectthe provision of means whereby the air displaced by the propeller anddriven rearwardly is utilized to provide a lifting impulse for theplane.

A further object of the invention is the provision in an aeroplane of abody or fuselage being provided at its front end with a tubular openingin which is mounted the propeller, and providing at the rear of thetubular opening air deflectors leading to openings in the side walls ofthe body or fuselage and directed under the wings so that the airdisplaced by the propeller and driven rearwardly therefrom is dischargedthrough the openings in the sides of the body against the wings orplanes to give a lifting impulse to the aeroplane, thereby aiding theplane in taking oftI from the ground, and also niaintaining it inflight.

The invention will be described in detail hereinafter and will be foundillustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a topplan view, partly broken away and in section of the iinproved aeroplane,

Figure 2 is a side view also partly broken away and in section,

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view on a plane indicated by the line3-8 of Figure 2,

Figure 11 is a transverse sectional view of one of the wings on a planeindioated by the line 11-4: of Figure 1, and

Figure 5 is a sectional detail on a plane indicated by the line 5 5 ofFigure 1.

In the drawings similar reference characters are used to designateeorresponding parts in all of the views.

As shown in the drawings, the aeroplane has its body or fuselage 1provided with a tubular opening in its forward end in which is mountedthe propeller 3 and motor 4 by means of suitable supports 5. Mounted inthe tubular opening 2 and rearward of the motor and propeller is an airdeflector 6 including Curved walls 7 that nieet on a line 8 arrangedvertically in the tubular opening 2 and intermediate of the sides of thebody 1, the ourved walls being converged rearwardly and laterally toopenings 9 in the side walls of the body and immediately under the wingsor planes 10. The openings 9, are as shown best in Figures 2 and 5elongated 'longitudinally of the body of the plane, the forward end ofsaid opening designated 9a being wider than the rear ends 9b andarranged in alinement with grooves 11 formed by rearwardly directedflanges 12 on the 'under sides of the wings, to prevent the airdischarged through the openings 9 from spilling forwardly of the '60wings and to provide a forward thrust as well as a lifting impulsebythe' air displaced by the propeller and directed through the openings9. As shown in Figure 1 the flanges 12 and grooves 11 are Curvedoutwardly and rearwardly of the wings or planes 10, and the flanges andgrooves are tapered outwardly of the wings. i

In the type o-f plane selected for illustration there is shown a controland passenger 'm compartment 13 mounted on top of the body or fuselage 1and having a plurality of windows 14 arranged at the front and along thesides thereof, and av door 15 for ingress and egress. i Itwill beunderstood, however, that the arrangement of the tubular opening in thefront of the plane and for discharge of the air displaced by thepropeller through .the sides of the body of the plane and under thewings is equally applicable to planes of theltype wherein the controland passenger coinpartments 'are arranged in the body of the lplaneincluding planes employing a cockpit for the aeronaut, so thattheinvention is not restricted to application to the type ofplaneselected for illustration.

It will also be apparent that the air displaced by the propeller 3 anddriven rearwardly through the tubular opening 2, as well as the aircaught in the opening 2 by the forward motio-n of the plane will bedivided by tht` defiector 6 and driven out of the openings 9 with greatforce and thereby have a lifting effect on the wings or planes 10 thatwill materially assist the plane in taking ofl'I 9 as well asinaintaining it in flight, and as heretofore stated the air caught inthe grooves 11 will provide a forward impulse to the aeroplane to aid itin its forward progress. o It will also be understood that the combinedareas of the openings 9 may be equaI to the area of the tubular opening2, or the areas of said openings 9 may be increased or diminished as maybe found to operate the most e satisfaotorily.

Also to increase the efi'ectiveness of the blast of air under the Wingsor planes 10,

' their rear edges areprovided With en1argements 10BN that aresubstantially triangular as shown, having one of the sides of thetriangle abutting the body or fuseiage 1 and their opposite anglessubstantially coincident with the outer ends of the grooves 11.

VVhat is claimed is 1. In an aeroplane, a body having a tubular openingin its forward end, a propeller inounted in said opening and adapted todischarge air through the opening, the sides of said body havingopenings communicating 'With said tubular opening, .deflectors mountedin said tubular opening and having rearwardly Curved walls directedlaterally to the openings in the sides of the body to deflect airthrough said openings, planes secured to the body above the sideopenings for discharge of air therefrom against the under side of theplanes, and a. grooved fiange on the under side of each planie extendingout- Wardly of the plane from the forward edge of each side opening.

2. In an aeroplane, a body having a tubular opening` in its forward end,a propeller mounted in said opening and adapted to discharge air throughthe opening, the sides of said body having openings `colnmunicating withsaid tubuiar opening, defiect-ors mounted in said tubuiar opening andhaving :rearwardly Curved Walls directed laterail'y' to the openings inthe sides of the body to deflect air through said openings, planessecured 'to the body above the side openings for discharge of airtherefrom against the under side of the planes, a grooved flange on 'theunder side of each plane extending outiW-ard' iy of the plane from theforwardedge of each side opening, the grooved fianges ad.- jacent 'tothe body being under 'the forward edges of the planes and curvingoutwardly and'rearwardly of the planes.

In testimony Whereof I afiix my signature.

WILLIAM M. ALEXANDER.

